Tool-wrench



H. T. SMITH.

TOOL WRENCH. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 18, 1920.

1,399,089. Patented Deb. 6, 1921.

Inueniar UNEIEQ stares FATENT @FFEQE.

HEWLET '1'. SMITH, OF OXNARD, CALIFORNIA.

TOOL-FRENCH.

Application filed November 18, 1920.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat I, I-Inwnnr T. SMrrr-r, a citizen of the, United States, residing at Oxnard, in the county of Ventura and the State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements inlool-lVrenches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to tool wrenches, and more particularly to apparatus for screwing and unscrewing or joining or unjoining tools used in oil well drilling in the so-called standard oil reciprocating drilling method. In this method the tools are suspended by a cable from the walking beam, and are given vertical reciprocation in the well, thus cutting, chipping or pounding away the formation and developing the well hole. The tools are connected together in what is called a string, often including a plurality of such tools, such as bits, sinker bars, stems and jars. In order to screw these together or unscrew them and disconnect them, heavy and powerful wrenches are employed, and it requires considerable power to operate such wrenches. Ordinarilyone such wrench is applied to a string of tools beneath a tapered oint, and the other wrench is applied to the tools above such tapered joint or coupling, which tapered joints or couplings it is to be under stood are connected with the tools and have screw threads. One wrench is ordinarily held stationary, and the other wrench is operated to produce the rotation requisite to couple or uncouple the tools at such threaded taper joint. In connection with such use of the wrenches what is called a floor circle is ordinarily vemployed, this consisting of a toothed'quadrant or segmental rack mounted upon the floor of the derrick at the mouth of the well Mounted upon this rack is a toothed ratchet devlce to which is applied a lever by which the ratchet device is operated to cause it to traverse such segment or rack which is arranged with a string of tools at the center of the segment or quadrant. 7 this rack is provided a stop against which bears one wrench, and the other, preferably the upper wrench, bears against the ratchet device. erated along the floor circle or toothed segment it carries with it the outer end of the upper wrench and either screws or unscrews the tools at the tapered joint. The

Specification of Letters Patent.

At one end of Thus as the ratchet device is op Patented Dec. 6, 1%2i.

Serial No. 424,807.

pressure of the two wrenches upon the ratchet device and the stop mentioned tends to cause the floor circle to wedge or slide inwardly upon the floor of the derrick and thus reduce the leverage upon the wrenches so as to render the operation of the device difficult or impossible. To prevent this inward creeping of the floor circle and ratchet device, it has been the practice to use blocks or sticks of wood as a prop or spacer between the string of tools suspended at the mouth of the hole, onthe one hand, and the floor circle on the other hand. When this is done there is a pressure imposed upon the jaw portion of the wrench arms due to the long leverage. Ordinarily the jaw will crack or give way at some angle point in said jaw. When this occurs the string of tools may tend to rotatein an opposite direction and it is necessary to apply a new wrench and commence the work over. In order to prevent breaking of the jaw of the tool wrench I have provided a closure means which has a pivotal connection with the free end of the jaw, and which closure means cooperates with the lever arm of the tool wrench. In detail I may say that my improved wrench includes a lever having a jaw member pivotally joined thereto and a closure member pivotally connected with the free end of the jaw member and 00- operating with the opposite end or the jaw. member and with the lever arm. Interengaging means are provided on both legs of the jaw member, on the closure member and upon the lever arm, so that when the jaw surrounds the tapered joint of a string of tools and the closure member is in locked position, upon operating the ratchet device associated with the floor circle, any pressure that would come uponthe jaw and tend to break the same would be evenly distributed around the jaw and through the'closure member. In other words, the closure memher and the jaw member as well as the lever arm cooperate in such a manner as to distribute all stress. The invention concerns the several parts and features mentioned and their combination and association and particularly the tool wrench, all as hereinafter described, shown in thedrawing, and finally pointed out in claims.

The invention consists in the novel and useful provision, formation, combination,

association, application and relative arrangement of parts, members and features, all as hereinafter so described, shown and claimed, as above mentioned.

The invention has for its objects to provide means of the nature stated which will be superior in point of relative simplicity and inexpensiveness of construction, taken in conjunction with reliability and positiveness in operation, durability, convenience and effectiveness in use, and general. superiority and efficiency and serviceability.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the floor of an oil well derrick or rig showing drilling tools suspended at the mouth of the well, and illustrating floor circle and floor circle brace and wrenches and wrench operating means all in combination for use and constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of an improved tool wrench;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional perspective view of certain details of construc tion of the tool wrench; and,

Fig. 1 is a. fragmentary cross sectional plan view showing various inter docking means for resisting stress in the jaw member of the tool wrench.

Corresponding parts in all the figures are designated by the same referencecharacters.

Referring with particularity to the drawing, the wrench jack A consists of a segment or quadrant 1 which is provided at one end portion with a stop 2, andupon its surface with a ratchet 3. The inner and outer sides of the quadrant 1 are grooved as at 4, and the block 5 is provided with flanges 6, which enter the said groove 4:. A pawl 7 is carried by the block 5 and is adapted to engage the ratchet or teeth 3 of the quadrant 1; an actuating bar 8 is pivotally connected with the block 5 and is adapted to operate the pawl 7. The aws of the wrenches B are applied to the joints of a drilling tool 9, and the shank or lever of one of the wrenches is adapted to lie against the stop 2, while the shank of the other wrench B lies against the end portion of the block 5. It is obvious that by swinging the bar 8 the pawl 7 will be forced into successive engagement withthe teeth 3 provided on the quadrant l, and that the shank portions of the wrenches B will be brought together, whereby the joints of the tool 9' will be turned into proper engagement with each other. As above stated, it is preferable that the quadrant should be loosely mounted upon the platform of the derrick, and, to prevent thesaid quadrant from havmg a tendency to slip or move toward the tool during the jacking operation, a brace 10 1s interposed between the inner side of the quadrant 1- and the drilling tool 9. u

The wrenches B are usuallytwo in numfrt gm entary her, one being left-handed and the other right-handed. The wrench B shown at 11 is the lefthand wrench and the wrench shown at 12 is the right-hand wrench. The wrenches are identical in formation with the exception just stated.

Referring to Fig. 2 it is to be observed that'the wrench B includes a lever arm or shank 13 joined with a jaw 14. Said jaw includes an arm 15 and a downwardly and returnedly spaced arm 16, the spaced portion as 17 being squared as at 18 and 19 for placement around a taper joint 20 of a string of tools. It is to be noted that the arm 15 is longer than the arm 16, and that the arm 15 j is grooved or recessed as at 21 for reception of an end of the leverarmof shank 13. The arm 13 is pivotally joined to the arm 15 as at 22. An end as 23 of the leverarm 13 is curved as at 24 and said curved portion cooperateswith a complementary curved portion 25 within the recessed portion 21 of the arm 15. Said lever arm 13 is likewise provided with a jaw portion 26. When the lever arm 13 is in a closed position within the recessed portion 21 an edge of the same as at 27 comes into contact with a shouldered portion 28 in the arm 15. Furthermore, to brace the lever arm 13 and help relieve strain from the pivot point 22, a plate 29 is provided on an edge as 30 of the lever arm 13. Said p1ate29 cooperates with the lateral edges 31 as at 32 of thearm 15. Thus when the arm is in the position asshown in Figs. 2 and 4:, the plate 29 willbe braced against the lateral edges of the arm 15 and also againstthe shoulder 28. The arm 16 of the jaw 1-1 is provided at its end as 33 with a member 34:. Said member 34: is in the form of a tongue. To thistongue as zit-'35 is pivotally joined a gate or closure member36, which closure is bifurcated at one of its ends as 37 so as to form two spaced members 33 and 39. Confined betweenaportion of the bifurcated members as at 10 is the member 3st. A pin 4E1 passes through a transverse perforation in the members 38 and 39 and through a transverse perforation in the member 3%, so thatthe member 36 may be pivotally joined to the member The member3t is provided with a V-shaped recess 42, which recess'tends to form a lug d3. An edge of the member 3 1as at 4 1 is curved tocorrespond with the curved ends 38 and.

39. It is also to be noted that the closure or gate member 36 is of a thickness corresponding with the thickness of the jaw 14 when the closure member is in the position as illustrated inFig. 2. Between the bifurcations ofthe member 36 is a member 15,

said member being slightly curvedas at- 16 to cooperate with acorrespondinglv curved portion 47 of the member 43. When the gate 36 is throwninto aclosed position so that the edge portions as -18 and 49 of the members 38 and 39 contact with shouldered portions 50 oi the end 33, the member 45 will interlock in the V-shaped portion 42 and have its edge 16 in contact with the edge d7 of the member 4a. The end 51 of the member 36 is provided with a transverse grooved portion 52 and with a hook member 53, which hook member is provided with jaw portion 54, the hook member being of a thickness corresponding to the width of the groove 52. lVithin the recessed portion 21 of the arm 15 is a notch 55, said notch torming two wall members 56 and 57. The closure 36 is adapted to swing upon the pivot 11 and allow the hook member 53 to engage the notch portion 55 so that the jaw portion 54 will have one of its faces as 53 in engagement wi 11 the wall member 56. Referring to Fig. l it is to be noted that the wall member 5? simply acts as a partition between the lever arm 13 and the jaw 53. In if 4 it is to be noted that the closure member 36 is transversely recessed as at 5 9. Vi hen the lever arm 13 is in the position as illustrated in Fig. 3 the closure or gate member 36 may be thrown into position so that its aw 53 will engage the notch portion 55, whereupon the lever arm 13 may be closed as illustrated in Fig. 4:, at which time the jaw 26 will enter the recess 59 of the closure 36. It is intended that an edge as 60 of the jaw should cooperate with a face as 61 of the recess 59. The closure member 36 is likewise provided with a handle member 62 for opening and closing the closure member.

The plate 29 upon the lever arm 13 may be welded thereon or it may be integrally formed with the lever arm when the lever arm is cast, or the lever may be notched at a portion and then bent over to form two ears which would form the plate 29.

Referring to Fig. i it is to be observed that when the closure member 36 is in position so that it cotiperates with the jaw 1-'l and with the lever arm 13, that the member 45 will cooperate with the member 43, the jaw 26 with the recess 59, the hook 53 with the notch 55, and the plate 29 with an edge of the arm 15. Thus when the aw portion engages the taper joint 20 the various members just mentioned will co5perate and interengage with one another, so that any stress that would come upon the jaw members would be resolved throughout the arms 15, 16 and the closure 36; thus making a com plete circuit. is a consequence breakage of the jaw member 14; at a point as a or b is positively prevented. Thej aw 26 coiiperating with the recess 59 in the closure 36 prevents the closure from opening when the wrench is in position as shown in Fig. 1. The shoulder 50 between the member 16 and the member 36, also tends to prevent a further rota,- tion of the member 36, and to this end it is to be noted that the cojperatien of the hook member 53 within the portion 55 also resists rotation. The member 45 in co5perat1on with the member d3 prevents alateral stress when the arms 15 and 16 try to spread apart,

and to this end the jaw 26 coiiperates with the face 61 in the recess 59 and the faces 56 and 58 likewise cooperate. The lever arm 13 is prevented from further movement by having its lateral edge as 27 coming into contact with the shoulder 28, as well as having the plate 29 coming into contact with the lateral edge of the arm 15. Thus, regardless of the stress imposed upon the arms 15 and 16, it is to be noted that the stress is resolved in all directions, and it is also to be noted that practically all shearing stress is relieved from the pivot points 22 and 4:1.

t is obvious that many changes and variations and modifications may be made in departure from the particular descdption and showing of the accompanying drawing, in adapting the invention to varying conditions and requirements of use and service, all without departing from the true spirit of the invention. I

Having thus disclosed my invention, 1 claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent: 1. In a wrench, the combination with lever and jaw member associated therewith,

of a closure member pivotally joinedto said jaw member, and inter-engaging means on said members for locking said members together in stress resisting relation; certain of said means on the jaw member and closure member being adjacent the pivotal connection to minimize stress thereon.

2- In a wrench, the combination with a lever, of a jaw member having one of its ends pivotally joined thereto, a closure member pivotally joined to the opposite end of the jaw member, and inter-engaging means on said members for locking said members I together in stress distributing formation; said end of the jaw member which coiiperates with the lever being recessed for reception of a portion of said lever, said lever being provided with a part adapted to bear against a lateral edge of said jaw member; said lever likewise being provided with a jaw member and there being a groove formed in said closure member for reception of said jaw member.

3. In a wrench, the combination with a lever, of a jaw member having one of its ends pivotally joined thereto, a closure member pivotally joined to the opposite end of the jaw member, and inter-engaging means on said members for locking said members together in stress distributing formation; said closure member being bifurcated at one end thereof and said jaw mem her being provided with a tongue for reception within the bifurcated portions, certain of the inter-engagingmeans being located on the said tongue and within the bifurcated portion.

4. In a wrench, the combination with a lever and jaw member associated therewith, of a closure member pivotally j oined-to said 'aw member and inter-enga rin means on the jaw member, and inter-engaging means on said members for lockingsaid members together in stress distributing formation; said end of the jaw member which cooperates with the lever being recessed for reception of a portion of said lever, said lever being provided with a part adaptedto bear against a lateral edge of said jaw member,

said lever likewise being provided with a jaw member and there being a groove formed in said closure member for reception of said jaw member; there being a tongue within the recessed portion of the jaw member, and the free end of the clomama means on the jaw member and lever member when the closure member isclosed for distributing stress on the aw member.

7.111 a wrench, the combinationwith a lever member, ofa jaw member havingone of'its ends pivotally joined thereto, a closure member pivotally joined to the opposite end of the jaw member, and means on the closure member adapted to interlock with means on the jaw member and lever member when the closure member is closed for distributing stress on the jaw member; said closure member being formed with a groove, and the said lever member being provided with a jaw portion adapted to enter said groove for maintaining the closure member in closed position.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HEVVLET T. SMITH.

Witnesses: g

E? L. MOORE, RALPH A. ELLIOTT. 

